Chemistry Outreach to Secondary Schools with a Mobile Chemistry Laboratory

Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University, Blacksburg VA

Investigators

Abstract

The Chemistry Division will support Virginia Tech to conduct a one year teacher enhancement/curriculum development project for use with its mobile chemistry laboratory, a state and privately funded, fully instrumented, 24 station, tractor-trailer rig that will make 10 visits annually to each of 20 school districts in rural, mountainous Southwestern Virginia. This project will prepare teachers in the target region to develop and implement an inquiry-based (i.e. laboratory based), modern chemistry program as a means of improving student performance, scientific literacy and appreciation of the role chemistry plays in society. Planning and execution of the project involves participation of teachers and administrators in the target schools as well as from Virginia Tech. Comments from individuals who have directed similar projects in other regions of the country have been obtained along with concurrent funding from the Camille and Henry Dreyfus Foundation for equipping the MCL and from the Eisenhower Program for preparatory training workshops.